ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 77 



enterprise with success. There is nothing like trying. Some- 

 thing has been done for agriculture, but not so much as its rela- 

 tive importance demands. Who that remembers the eloquent 

 remarks of the veteran advocate of the '' plough, the loom, and 

 the anvil," at our late exhibition, was not forcibly impressed 

 with the conviction that the farmers have been faithless to them- 

 selves ? Merchants and manufacturers do not act thus, when 

 their interests need support. Let us summon to our aid a por- 

 tion of that public spirit which characterized a Pickering, and a 

 Saltonstall, names that will ever be remembered with respect 

 in the history of our society, and the work will be more than 

 half accomplished. If farmers would be true to themselves, 

 others would be true to them. If they will not, who can they 

 blame but themselves? " He that provideth not for his own," 

 as hath been truly said, " is worse than an infidel." 



Whoever examines our Transactions for information will 

 find it best condensed in the statements of the cultivation of 

 entire farms, and the reports thereon. This should stimulate to 

 renewed efforts to revive these premiums. Not, simply, the 

 offer of them, but the bringing forward of claims to merit them. 

 There is scarcely a town in the county that could not annually 

 present the statement of the cultivation of some farm, that 

 would be a source of useful instruction. If this information 

 cannot be secured in the manner heretofore practised, let it be 

 done as in the counties of Plymouth or Middlesex, by a view- 

 ing committee, who will seek out what is interesting, and not 

 wait the tardy movement of the diffident cidtivator. There are 

 many, who will readily communicate, when solicited, who will 

 not come forward of their own motion. Among these, three 

 times out of four, is real merit most likely to be found. 



We are somewhat flattered, when we see references to what 

 has been done by our society, in obtaining and diff"using in- 

 formation ; but have we not reason to be more mortified, when 

 Ave reflect upon what we know has been left undone 1 I appeal 

 to your candor, gentlemen, who should know the state of agri- 

 culture in the county, whether this is not so 1 Is there any of 

 you, for example, who can, with any confidence, answer the in- 

 quiry : — What proportion of the bread stuff's, consumed in the 



